What is Zoroastrianism? | Let's Talk Religion

I have finally remade one of the earliest videos on this channel - exploring Zoroastrianism in depth in what is the longest video ever on this channel. Dive into the fascinating world of Zoroastrianism, its ancient hsitory and ethical teachings, from its origins with the prophet Zarathushtra through the Achaemenid, Parthian and Sasanian empires and all the way until today. Discover how Zoroastrianism might be one of the most important religions in history, influencing some of the most famous and popular religons and philosophies in the world.

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Music by:
Filip Holm

Sources/Recomended Reading:

Boyce, Mary (2000). "Zoroastrians: Their Their Religious Beliefs and Practices". Routledge; 2nd edition.

Dahlén, Ashk (transl.) (2023). "Zarathustra: Sånger". h:ström.

Humbach, Helmut & Pallan Ichaporia (transl.) (1994). "The Heritage of Zarathushtra: A New Translation of His Gathas. Universitatsverlag Winter.

Moazami, Mahnaz (ed.) (2016). "Zoroastrianism: A collection of Articles from the Encyclopedia Iranica". ENCYCLOPAEDIA IRANICA FOUNDATION. 2 Volumes.

Rose, Jenny (2019). "Zoroastrianism: An Introduction". I.B. Tauris Introduction to Religions. Bloomsbury Academic.

Strausberg, Michael; & Yuhan Sohrab-Dinshaw Vevaina (ed.) (2015). "The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Zoroastrianism". Wiley-Blackwell.

A second translation of the Gathas:
http://avesta.org/dastur/Dinshaw_J_Irani_The_Gathas.pdf


Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:40 Why make another video?
2:47 Basic overview
5:19 Origins: Zarathusthra & The Gathas
11:05 Zarathushtra's revelation & character
14:40 The Avesta: Zoroastrian scripture
16:30 Teachings of Zoroastrianism
24:47 Eschatology
28:26 Monotheism & Amesha Spentas (Holy Immortals)
32:37 The Yazatas
36:51 Summary of teachings: 'The Avestan Worldview'
38:25 The Spread of Zarathustra's teachings
39:33 The Achaemenid Empire
49:03 The Parthian Empire
51:28 The Sasanian Empire - Canonization & Orthodoxy
1:00:58 Zoroastrians under Islamic Rule
1:07:02 Zoroastrian Practice
1:16:38 Influence on other religions?
1:20:13 Conclusions


#Zoroastrianism #Persia #religion